In the last two weeks, I have
missed the Ten Things of Thankful link up. I am determined
'not' to miss it this week.
The
Challenge is to write about ten things we are thankful for in a week's time.
However, you do not have to stop at ten...you could write an entire page if
you wanted to if you have that many things to be thankful for.
Over
the course of the last two weeks, I have had many things I am thankful
for.
1. Friendships -
they are the lasting bond when everyone else goes to the wayside.
2. Creation -
I am amazed by the beauty that surrounds us in our world that we call Earth. No
man could create such wonders.
3. Life -
In the last several years, I have knocked on death's door more than once. Stage
three - almost stage four Thyroid Cancer in 2013. An Esophageal Rupture that
left me in the hospital and fighting for my life for 41 days straight at the
cost of $237 shy of a million bucks. (I call myself the million-dollar baby).
Fast forward to 2020, diagnosed with COVID 19, and hospitalized with an Asthma
exacerbation and RSV prior to testing positive for COVID 19. (how I survived
these three whammies - it is ONLY by God's grace and mercy). I take nothing for
granted in this life...absolutely nothing!
4. Family -
although many of my family members are no longer in my life (due to death or
their choice to sever the bonds of our relationship), the ones who remain I am
thankful for.
My
family has caused me a great deal of grief in my lifetime. I have had more loss
from 'living' people than those who have died. It is quite sad, but it is a
reality. I have had to come to terms with their choices and hold on to the
assurances that we will all be held accountable for our actions - regardless of
what it is. I too am human, and I have on many occasions said I am sorry and
have asked for forgiveness. Now it is up to the other person...
In the meantime, I must continue to live and do what I know is right in my heart.
I cannot bury my head in the sand and stop living. Why should I?
5. People -
regardless of skin color - we are all human beings. We cannot turn the clock
back on time and change what has happened before our generation. But we can
change the future that is before us by our actions and our voices. Violence is
not the answer. Silence is not the answer. Playing the victim is not the
answer. Continuing to perpetuate the cycle of hatred in the younger generation
is not the answer.
We must recognize people are human beings and we were all created
equal in the eyes of God. No one is less than.
There
was a time in my life that I do not speak about often, but I was treated worse
than an animal. I know the pain of humiliation and being treated less than.
This was a very horrendous, traumatic time in my life, and it did not happen
that long ago. It has haunted me ever since the day it occurred. But I have
become stronger from it. I have shown my resilience through the hatred of
mankind against another human being. I rose and took my stand and I will NOT
hold angst against those who did me wrong, but I will rise and take my place in
society. Sure, I could be angry. I could hold a rage within. But I choose not
to do so. By not doing so, I am the bigger person and I will be stronger for
it.
The
days of that horrible summer are far behind me. The memories still linger in my
mind though as if it were only yesterday. I fight the demons that try to tell
me otherwise and I remind them 'whose" I am throughout the
day. (this was another one of those times, I beat death). I thank God daily for
delivering me from the hands of the evil men and woman who taunted me and
abused me that day. I also thank God daily for giving me the strength to
forgive the family who created this memory for me.
6. Forgiveness - Webster's Dictionary definition says "forgiveness is a conscious, deliberate decision to release feelings of
resentment or vengeance toward a person or group who has harmed you". It is not
easy to forgive a person who has done you wrong, but it can be done. Just
because I forgive though, does not mean I forget. The difference is holding
onto the resentment. If we do that, it will begin to fester inside of us, and
the hatred will eat us up.
I am very thankful I can forgive today. I have not always
been able to recognize forgiveness in its raw form. It is like a breath of
fresh air...I am not too proud to say I am sorry. I just wished others
would/could do the same.
7. Crafting - I enjoy crafting very much. It
is one of my favorite pastimes. The joy of crafting though left me in 2019
after a very emotional and hurtful ordeal blindsided me in life. I am slowly
finding my way back to it. I wish it would hurry up and return though. I look
around my crafting room and see all the 'stash' I own that pertains to
crafting. My heart yearns to find joy in it again.
This is one of
my Glue Books I made last month when I was participating in the Self-Love
Challenge. If you look closely, you will see the words, "Cherish
Life" towards the bottom in off to the side of the flower cluster.
When I do find myself crafting these days, I think to myself
- "This is it...I have found my way back". Yet, it takes me days if
not weeks to find myself in this place again. I have had to make myself craft
for at least 1 to 2 hours a day in hopes of finding that place of joy again...I am hopeful it will return sooner than later.
8. Smiles - when I was in my early twenties,
I got asked why I smiled so much. My reply, "I am a happy person".
I have been an Admin over several crafting groups over the years. From time to time, I would drop a note to the group - "Don't forget to share a smile with someone today as you may be the only one, they see". I cannot tell you the countless number of replies I would receive from this statement. It meant a lot to the members of my group.
I have been an Admin over several crafting groups over the years. From time to time, I would drop a note to the group - "Don't forget to share a smile with someone today as you may be the only one, they see". I cannot tell you the countless number of replies I would receive from this statement. It meant a lot to the members of my group.
A smile can be shared in any language, culture, or race. A
smile knows no boundaries. Young or old can share a smile and we all know what
it is. We never know if the person next to us is hurting or not and who knows,
when we share a smile, we are sending positive vibes. Smile...! :-)
I listen to it
every time I am in my crafting room. It inspires me. It speaks to me. It
ministers to me. It encourages me. I suppose my love for music came from
playing the Violin. I miss playing the violin.
10. Love - I am thankful for love. Whether it comes from my husband, my daughter, my grandsons, or my extended family and friends. Love changes things.
I leave you with this...
Love is patient
Love is kind
Love does not envy
Love does not boast
Love is not rude
Love is not self-seeking
Love is not easily angered
Love keeps no records of wrongdoing
Love NEVER fails
I can name ten things I am thankful for in my heart because it is full of joy and
thanksgiving today because I can love.
What are you thankful for today?
Heart to Heart Soul Creations
H2hsc2020
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Glad you could link up this week! :-) You are a survivor--many times over, it seems--and I imagine your experiences certainly impacted you. Forgiveness must be a relief. I think your love of crafting will return in due time. You play the violin? Kudos to you!
ReplyDeletehi Kristi...yes, for whatever reason, I thought the challenge started on Tuesday's and ended on Friday's. LOL - - glad I got this straight in my head now!
Deleteyes, definitely a survivor. it is a good thing but can be a bad thing because at times i find myself 'not' having tolerance for others who go off the deep end over a stumped toe per say. I just shake my head at times...honestly, the journey I have walked is so I can share the resilience, hope and for others who feel they are alone. What is that saying, 'we can't speak on things if we have not walked in their shoes'...I have walked a lot of different journey's in my life too many for one person to have ever endured. I remind myself daily there is a purpose for life and a season for everything.
Yes, I started playing the violin in the 4th gr. by 7th gr.I was playing at collegiate level and concert mistress until I graduated high school. I played in Chamber Orchestras too. me and my violin were one...I do miss playing. I played well into my 30's and all 3 of my kids were brought up with me playing.
H2hsc2020
Great things to be thankful for and the greatest is love! I'm so glad we connected through blogging!
ReplyDeletehi Martha!
Deletethank you so much...and I am as well! I have learned a great deal from you just by watching and reading your posts.
Beautiful messages here about survival and gratitude!
ReplyDeleteThank you Lisa!!!
DeleteOne of the things I miss most about being in the pandemic, is not being able to smile and see others'smiles because of wearing the masks.
ReplyDeleteI love the power of forgiveness.
Life truly is a journey and everyone's journey is different with lessons very individually selected for us.
So glad you were able to link up again.
Hi Pat...
Deleteyes, even though we cannot see their actual smile, we can see their eyes and they can and do talk, especially when a person is smiling! :-)
The power of forgiveness is HUGE!!! I just wished more people would learn that.
Yes, the journey of life - the important thing is to 'learn' from those lessons. I sure have had my lessons that's for sure.
Yes, I got my days mixed up and I was determined NOT to miss it this week!
Until we meet again.
Hugs,
Nancy